Method of application of a surface treatment solution

ABSTRACT

A method of treating a painted surface such as of vehicle or glass to form a film which protects the surface and can be easily cleaned, is described. A treatment solution including a non-water soluble surfactant mixed with water is rubbed onto the surface being protected until a tacky film forms on the surface. The tacky film is then rinsed from the surface until the surface is free of any streaks. The resulting protective film is beneficial to protect the surface against exposure to pollution, hand water deposits, acid contaminants, ultraviolet rays and the like.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/556,577 filedNov. 13, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,653 to Frazer et al.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a method of treating asurface, and more particularly to a surface treatment solution used forwindow glass, painted surfaces such as an automobile finish and the liketo provide a protective film that functions as an effective shieldagainst spotting, staining and pitting caused by pollution, hard waterdeposits, ultraviolet rays and the like.

2. Prior Art

In recent years, there has been an increased concern over the damagecaused to clear coat finishes such as on automobiles from exposure topollution, hard water deposits, ultraviolet rays and the like. However,solvents and abrasives used for cleaning clear coat finishes can, infact, harm such finishes. Silicone and other polymer resins can seal incontaminants, suffocate paint and interfere with proper curing andadhesion of new vehicle paint.

One product that effectively protects glass and painted surfaces andwhich is easily cleaned is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,073,407 toFrazer and is incorporated herein by reference. This patent describes atreatment product comprising a surfactant mixed with water. Uponapplication to the surface to be treated, this prior art treatmentproduct protects a painted surface against the effects of pollution andhard water deposits, in addition to its ultraviolet ray resistantqualities that provide continuous cleansing and neutralizing ofcontaminants. Similar beneficial qualities are realized for glasssurfaces. These benefits are provided by rubbing the prior art treatmentproduct into the surface being protected until a tacky residue forms onthe surface. Then, the tacky residue is further rubbed into the surfaceuntil the surface is wiped free of any streaks.

While this product works well for its intended purpose, there is a needfor a new and improved treatment solution that provides all the benefitsof the prior art treatment product described in the Frazer patentwithout requiring the need for the final step of rubbing the tackyresidue into the surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The surface treatment solution of the present invention is initiallyrubbed onto the surface finish until a greasy film is formed on thesurface. An extraordinary aspect of the present surface treatmentsolution is that the greasy film rinses clear with ordinary tap waterand dries spot-free without costly water softening apparatus and no handdrying. The resulting protective film or coating is effective againstspotting, staining and pitting caused by pollution, hard water deposits,ultraviolet rays and the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The method of treating a surface according to the present invention iseffective on surfaces, such as the window glass of buildings and thepaint finish of an automobile, to remove dirt, dust, grime andneutralize contaminants such as acid rain. Further, the surface, such asthe glass of buildings, preferably commercial buildings, or anautomobile paint finish, having been cleaned by the present surfacetreatment solution has a protective coating thereon. The protectivecoating dramatically reduces spotting, staining and pitting on thecleaned surface caused by pollution and hard water deposits. The presentprotective coating also has been found to improve the resistance ofautomobile paint to degradation from ultraviolet rays. Accordingly, thepaint finish of the automobile lasts longer and naturally retains itsbright finish for a longer period of time.

The surface treatment solution of the present invention comprises anon-soluble, water dispersible liquid surfactant. A preferred surfactantis butanedioic acid, sulfo-1,4-dioctyl ester, sodium salt. Since thissurfactant is relatively insoluble, it is typically provided in a 10%ethanol, 20% water solution. The ethanol/water solution helps todecrease the viscosity of the surfactant for uniform application overthe entire surface to be treated. This surfactant is sold under thetradename GEROPON WT-27 by Rhone-Poulenc Surfactants & Specialties,Cranbury, N.J. This surfactant exhibits wetting, foaming, dispensing,detergent and emulsification properties over a wide range of waterhardness. GEROPON WT-27 has the following physical properties:

BOILING POINT: 85.00° C.

VAPOR PRESSURE: DUE TO 30% WATER/ETHANOL

VAPOR DENSITY (AIR=1): DUE TO 30% WATER/ETHANOL

WATER SOLUBILITY: SLIGHT

MELTING/FREEZING POINT: NO DATA FOUND

APPEARANCE: CLEAR, COLORLESS LIQUID

SPECIFIC GRAV. (WATER=1): 1.08

PERCENTAGE VOLATILES: 10% ETHANOL; 20% WATER

EVAPORATION RATE: >1.00 (BU. ACET.=1)

pH OF SOLUTION: 5.00-6.00 1% SOLUTION

ODOR: SLIGHT ALCOHOLIC ODOR

FLASH POINT: 82.00° F. (PMCC)

AUTOIGNITION TEMP.: 685.00° F. (ETHANOL)

FLAMMABLE LIMITS: 3.30% to 19.00% (ETHANOL)

Another preferred surfactant for inclusion in the surface treatmentsolution of the present invention comprises a fluorochemical surfactantand the preferred fluorochemical surfactant is sold under the tradenameFC-129 FLUORAD by 3M Corporation, St. Paul, Minn. FC-129 FLUORADcomprises potassium fluoroalkyl carboxylate and 2-butoxy-ethanol and ithas the following physical properties:

BOILING POINT: 100° C.

VAPOR PRESSURE: 28 mm Hg @ R.T.

VAPOR DENSITY (AIR=1): 0.7 @ R.T.

WATER SOLUBILITY: COMPLETE

APPEARANCE: YELLOW TO AMBER LIQUID

SPECIFIC GRAV. (WATER=1): 1.3

PERCENTAGE VOLATILES: 50%

EVAPORATION RATE: <1.0

pH OF SOLUTION: 11

ODOR: BUTYL CELLOSOLVE

FLASH POINT: 38° C. (PMCC)

For applications of the present surface treatment solution to thepainted surface of a motor vehicle or similar apparatus, window glass orsimilar glass surfaces and the like, the surfactant can be applieddirectly to the surface. However, the surfactant, whether the surfactantis GEROPOM WT-27 or FC-129 FLUORAD, in their undiluted state are verysticky and relatively difficult to apply to the surface intended to betreated. Thus, it has been found preferable to mix up to about 15%, byvolume, of surfactant with the remainder of the total volume beingwater. More preferably, it has been found that an effective surfacetreatment solution contains between about 10% to 17%, by volume, ofsurfactant to the total solution volume. As the percentage of volume ofsurfactant to water decreases below about 5%, the solution loses itsbeneficial effect and is believed to degenerate too quickly.

Acid particles and other contaminants can become trapped underconventional paint sealants and auto polishes. When these trappedparticles are exposed to sunshine, the damage they cause to the paintcan actually accelerate. To markedly diminish and in some caseseliminate the damage that trapped acidic contaminants can cause, thesurface treatment solution of the present invention preferably includesa water dispersible acid neutralizing agent. Specifically, the preferredacid neutralizing compound is an alkoxylated alkanol amide sold underthe tradename MAKON NF-5 by Stepan Company, Northfield, Ill. Thiscompound exhibits low foaming properties even under extreme agitation,has excellent wetting action and an alkaline state. The pH of this acidneutralizing agent is between about 8.5 to 10.5 (5%, by volume, in H₂O). These properties aid in water sheeting, foam reduction and acidabsorption.

It is preferred to mix up to about 4% by volume, of the acidneutralizing agent in the surfactant/water solution. More preferably, ithas been found that an effective surface treatment solution containsbetween about 2% to 7%, by volume, of the acid neutralizing agent.

MAKON NF-5 has the following physical and chemical characteristics:

BOILING POINT: OVER 212° F. (100° C.)

% VOLATILE BY WEIGHT: 3%

EVAPORATION RATE: EST. SLOWER THAN ETHYL ETHER

VAPOR DENSITY: EST. LIGHTER THAN AIR

VAPOR PRESSURE (mm Hg): NOT DETERMINE OR UNKNOWN

WEIGHT PER GALLON: 8.3 LBS.

FLASH POINT: 93° C. (PMCC)

In addition to protecting against trapped acid particles, the inclusionof MAKON NF-5 to the present surface treatment solution increases theresulting protective film or coating from acid rain and the like. Inthat light, the various additives comprising the present surfacetreatment solution are preferably formulated to provide a solution pH ofabout 8.9.

It is envisioned that the present surface treatment solution will bemarketed in various sized containers intended for both household andindustrial consumption. Foaming is a particularly vexing problem duringthe filling operation and to prevent this, the surface treatmentsolution of the present invention preferably includes an anti-foamingredient that reduces bubbles during bottling, application and use.The preferred anti-foam agent for this purpose is a non-siliconeanti-foam emulsion sold under the tradename FOAMGARD 1000 byRhone-Poulenc Surfactants & Specialties, Cranbury, New Jersey. Thisemulsion has the following properties:

BOILING POINT 76° mm Hg: 260°-316° C.

SPECIFIC GRAVITY (H₂ O=1): 0.88 @ 25° C.

FREEZING POINT: <O°C.

VAPOR PRESSURE AT 20° C.: <0.8 mm Hg

VAPOR DENSITY (AIR=1): >1

EVAPORATION RATE: <1 (BU. ACET. =1)

SOLUBILITY IN WATER BY WT: Dispersible

APPEARANCE: Opaque off white

ODOR: Mild

PHYSICAL STATE: Liquid

It is preferred to mix up to about 0.02%, by volume, of the anti-foamagent in the present surface treatment solution. More preferably, it hasbeen found that the formation of bubbles during filling is mosteffectively prevented when the surface treatment solution containsbetween about 0.02% to 0.06%, by volume, of the anti-foam agent.

The preferred formulation of the present surface treatment solutionfurther contains a pH buffering agent. Specifically, the preferredcompound for this purpose is a cocamidopropyl bentaine sold under thetradename Mirataine CB by Rhone-Poulenc Surfactants & Specialties,Cranbury, N.J. The pH buffering agent helps to increase the viscosityand mollifies any irritation caused by other ingredients of the presentsurface treatment solution. Mirataine CB also lowers the surface tensionof the present surface treatment solution to aid in its sheeting action.This compound is preferably present in a concentration of between about3% to 8%, and more preferably at a concentration of about 6%. MirataineCB has the following physical and chemical characteristics:

BOILING POINT: 100° C.

FREEZING POINT: <0° C.

SPECIFIC GRAVITY (H₂ O=1): 1.05 @ 25

PERCENT VOLATILE: 65%

pH: 8.5

APPEARANCE AND ODOR: Slightly viscous, pale yellow liquid, faint fruityodor

To demonstrate the efficiency of the present surface treatment solution,the present solution comprising the GEROPON WT-27 surfactant, MAKON NF-5acid neutralizing compound, FOAMGARD 1000 non-silicone anti-foamemulsion and Mirataine CB pH buffering agent was applied to a paintedpanel, as previously described, to provide a protective film thereon andthe protected panel was exposed to various exposure conditions. Theconditions of exposure ranged from tap water to pH 3 and pH 4 acidsolutions to simulate acid rain conditions, and a 1% egg albumensolution. Specifically, the test panels were subjected to one dropleteach of tap water, 1% egg albumen solution diluted with water pH 3 acidrain solution, and a pH 4 acid rain solution. The acid rain solutionscomprised a 10:1 ratio of sulfuric acid to nitric acid diluted to theappropriate pH with tap water. The variously treated panels were storedat 140° F. for two (2) hours after the application of each droplet,removed from the heat chamber, stabilized and evaluated for damage. Theresults of these tests are shown in Table 1.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                                pH3        pH4                                                                ACID RAIN  ACID RAIN  1% EGG  TAP                                     COATING SIMULATION SIMULATION ALBUMIN WATER                                   ______________________________________                                        PRESENT No         No         No      No                                      SOLUTION                                                                              Noticeable Noticeable Noticeable                                                                            Noticeable                                      Damage     Damage     Damage  Damage                                  Uncoated                                                                              Etched Ring                                                                              Etching    Etched Ring                                                                           Etched                                  Paint                                 Ring                                    ______________________________________                                    

Each of the panels exhibited some residue at the perimeter of thedroplet area. When the residue left by the drying process was wipedaway, the panel coated with the present surface treatment solutionexhibited no damage to the painted surface. The uncoated panelsexhibited etching under each test regime. Thus, the present surfacetreatment solution has properties that enhance its buffering ability toprevent damage to the treated surface from acid rain and the like.

The surface treatment solution of the present invention furthercomprises a water soluble anti-microbial agent. Without the inclusion ofthis additive, it is possible that the other ingredients of the presentsurface treatment solution can provide a sufficient nutrient base tosupport bacteria growth. Bacteria growth can render the solutionineffective for its intended purpose as a surface treatment for windowglass and painted surfaces of an automobile and the like. Specifically,the preferred anti-microbial agent is 1,3-dioxin-4-ol-2,6-dimethylacetate. This compound is sold under the tradename GIV-GARD DXN byGivaudan Corporation, Clifton, N.J. This additive preserves theintegrity of the surface treatment solution prior to use and ispreferably present in the solution in an amount of between about 0.05%to 0.20%, by volume. The GIV-GARD DXN anti-microbial agent has thefollowing characteristics:

PHYSICAL STATE: LIQUID

COLOR: CLEAR YELLOW TO LIGHT AMBER

ODOR: PUNGENT

SOLUBILITY IN WATER: 100% WITH AGITATION

BOILING-POINT (°C): 66°-68° C. @ 3 mm Hg

VAPOR-PRESSURE (mm Hg @ 25° C.): N/A

MELTING POINT (°C): NOT APPLICABLE

SPECIFIC GRAVITY (H₂ O=1.0): 1.068 @ 25° C.

REFRACTIVE INDEX @ 20° C.: 1.4340

FLASH POINT: 125° F.

The surface treatment compound of the present invention furtherpreferably includes an additive which causes the surface coating to beresistant to ultraviolet ray deterioration. The additive for thispurpose is an ultraviolet stabilizer such as UNIVUL N-539 sold by BASFCorporation, Chemicals Division of Rensselear, N.Y. This additive has aformulation of 2-ethylhexyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate and thefollowing properties:

PHYSICAL FORM: Liquid

MOLECULAR WEIGHT: 361

MELTING POINT: -10° C.

COLOR: Pale Yellow

SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 1.0478

% PURITY: 94

SOLUBILITY: (% by Weight, 30° C.)

WATER: Immiscible

METHANOL: Miscible

ETHYL ACETATE: Miscible

MEK: Miscible

TOLUENE: Miscible

The ultraviolet stabilizer additive can be added to the treatmentsolution of surfactant, water and the other previously describedadditives in a preferred range of between about 0.1% to 1%, by volume,to the total solution volume. A more preferred range is between about0.1% to 0.5%, by volume, of the ultraviolet stabilizer additive and amost preferred amount is about 0.2%, by volume, to the total solutionvolume. Below about 0.1% of the total solution volume, no significantresults have been found. It is further within the terms of the presentinvention to provide an operable surface treatment compound without theultraviolet stabilizer additive.

Prior to applying the present surface treatment solution to the finishedsurface of, for example, a vehicle, the surface to be treated shouldpreferably be prepared so as to be clean, dry and free from wax andother coatings. Immediately after the present treatment solution hasbeen applied and before it has a chance to dry, it is rubbed into thesurface using a firm, circular motion of an application cloth until thesolution is spread evenly over the surface being treated. After rubbing,the surface should be covered with a greasy but not gummy film. Thesteps of applying and rubbing are continued until the solution isapplied to each section of the vehicle, such as the trunk, hood, etc.

The greasy film dries tacky. The tacky film is then rinsed by thoroughlyspraying the treated surface with ordinary tap water until the filmdisappears and a glossy finish is achieved. It is believed, however,that a coating of the surface treatment solution remains on the surfacebeing treated.

The paint of a vehicle finish which has been treated with the presentsurface treatment solution will effectively resist acid and alkalinepollution, hard water deposits, excessive heat and cold, harsh sunlight,detergent washing and salt water immersions. Then, to clean a surfacetreated coated car, simply spraying water through a hose will remove thesurface dirt, and light rubbing with a cloth or sponge will remove dirtthat accumulates during driving. The car can be rinsed with ordinary tapwater and will dry spot free without the need of hand-drying.

While the surface treatment solution of present invention isparticularly useful for applications to vehicles such as automobiles, itcan also be effectively used in treating glass windows of buildings,such as commercial buildings and residences. Treating glass windows canbe particularly beneficial because the treated glass sheds dirt andspots and dramatically reduces cleaning and maintenance. Prior toapplying the surface treatment solution to a window glass, the glasssurface should preferably be clean and dry. Then a small amount of thesolution is rubbed onto the glass using firm, back and forth directionalmovements. Typically these movements are in a horizontal direction butany direction will suffice. The treated surface should appear greasy butnot gummy. The surface is then allowed to dry for a period of about tenor more minutes until a tacky film forms. Although not required, it ispreferred to again apply the solution to the window glass using a motionsubstantially perpendicular to the first movements. Assuming the firstmovements to be in a horizontal direction, these second movements wouldbe in the vertical direction. The surface is again allowed to dry for aperiod of about ten minutes or more until the surface has a tacky filmthereon.

To remove the tacky film the treated glass is rinsed by thoroughlyspraying the treated surface with ordinary tap water. Then, the water isallowed to air dry or the water is removed with a rubber squeegee. Thesubstantially non-distorting, clear surface treatment solution forms acoating on the glass which sheds dirt and spots and dramatically reducescleaning maintenance.

Besides the beneficial ease of cleaning, the present treatment solutioncontains no solvents, abrasives, or silicone and it is 100%biodegradable. Moreover, the present surface treatment solution is safefor hands, the environment and the window trim.

In areas subjected to large amounts of dirt, the previously treatedareas can be maintained by simply spraying concentrated surfactant,preferably GEROPON WT-27 or FC-129 FLUORAD, through a siphon containerattached to a hose. After this treatment, no wiping or drying isnecessary.

It is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with thisinvention a method of treating a surface which fully satisfies theobjects, means and advantages set forth hereinbefore. While theinvention has been described in combination with specific embodimentsthereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications andvariations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of theforegoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all suchalternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit andbroad scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of treating a surface to form aprotective coating consisting essentially of a surfactant, thereon,comprising the steps of:a) mixing the surfactant with a solvent thatreduces the viscosity of the surfactant and a acid neutralizing agent toform a treatment solution, wherein the surfactant is selected from thegroup consisting of butanedioic acid, sulfo-1,4-dioctyl ester, sodiumsalt and a fluorochemical surfactant comprising potassium fluoroalkylcarboxylate; b) applying the treatment solution to the surface to beprotected to thereby wet the surface; c) rubbing the solution wettedsurface until a tacky film forms on the surface; and d) rinsing thetacky film from the wetted surface so that all that remains on thesurface is the protective coating consisting essentially of thesurfactant, wherein the acid neutralizing agent prevents acidiccontaminants present on the surface prior to application of thetreatment solution from damaging the surface treated with the solution.2. The method of claim 1 including mixing the surfactant in an amount ofbetween about 5% to 17%, by volume, of the treatment solution.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the coated surface is free of streaking. 4.The method of claim 1 further including the step of cleaning the surfaceto be coated prior to wetting the surface.
 5. The method of claim 1wherein the step of rubbing the solution wetted surface includes using afirm circular motion until the surface is covered with the tacky film.6. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface being treated is a paintedsurface.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the surface being treated is aglass surface.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the acid neutralizingagent is an alkoxylated alkanol.
 9. The method of claim 1 includingproviding the solution having a pH of about 8.9.
 10. The method of claim1 further including an ultraviolet stabilizer.
 11. The method of claim 1further including an anti-foam agent.
 12. The method of claim 11 whereinthe anti-foam agent is a nonsilicone emulsion.
 13. The method of claim 1further including an anti-microbial agent.
 14. The method of claim 13wherein the anti-microbial agent is 1,3-dioxin-4-ol-2,6-dimethylacetate.
 15. The method of claim 1 further including a pH bufferingagent.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the pH buffering agent is acocamidopropyl bentaine.
 17. A method of treating a surface, comprisingthe steps of:a) mixing a non-water soluble surfactant with water to forma treatment solution wherein the surfactant is selected from the groupconsisting of butanedioic acid, sulfo-1,4-dioctyl ester, sodium salt anda fluorochemical surfactant comprising potassium fluoroalkyl carboxylatepresent in the solution in an amount of about 5% to 17%, by volume; b)mixing an acid neutralizing agent, an ultraviolet stabilizer, ananti-foam agent, an anti-microbial agent and a pH buffering agent withthe water and the surfactant; c) wetting the surface to be protected byapplying the treatment solution thereto; d) rubbing the solution wettedsurface until a tacky residue forms on the surface; and e) rinsing thetacky residue from the wetted surface so that all that remains on thesurface is the protective coating consisting essentially of thesurfactant, wherein the acid neutralizing agent prevents acidiccontaminants present on the surface prior to application of thetreatment solution from damaging the surface treated with the solution.18. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of mixing further includesmixing between about 2% to 7%, by volume, of the acid neutralizingagent.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the acid neutralizing agent isan alkoxylated alkanol.
 20. The method of claim 17 wherein the step ofmixing further includes mixing between about 0.1% to 1.0%, by volume, ofthe ultraviolet stabilizer.
 21. The method of claim 17 wherein the stepof mixing further includes mixing between about 0.02% to 0.06%, byvolume, of the anti-foam agent.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein theanti-foam agent is a nonsilicone emulsion.
 23. The method of claim 17wherein the step of mixing further includes mixing between about 0.05%to 0.20%, by volume, of the anti-microbial agent.
 24. The method ofclaim 23 wherein the anti-microbial agent is1,3-dioxin-4-ol-2,6-dimethyl acetate.
 25. The method of claim 17 whereinthe step of mixing further includes mixing between about 3% to 8%, byvolume, of the pH buffering agent.
 26. The method of claim 25 whereinthe pH buffering agent is a cocamidopropyl bentaine.
 27. The method ofclaim 17 wherein the step of rubbing the tacky residue includes rubbinga cloth against the surface with a firm circular motion.
 28. The methodof claim 17 wherein the surface being treated is the finished surface ofan automobile.
 29. The method of claim 17 wherein the surface beingtreated is a painted surface.
 30. The method of claim 17 wherein thecoated surface is free of streaking.
 31. The method of claim 17including the step of cleaning the surface prior to wetting the surface.